ACTS: Times of Refreshing

 

Chapter three of Acts opens with the dramatic healing of a man people knew from sight. He sat at the gate of the Temple every day for more than 30 years begging alms. Then Peter and John show up and heal the man in one short moment. Then they were left having to explain their part in the healing to be almost nonexistent other than being in the right place at the right time. “God did the healing. God is the worker of all miracles.”  If your life changes, God is at work. And God works on faith, His faith in us, our faith in Him.  

 

As the crowd began to grow around the scene Peter took advantage of the amazement of the people. Much the same as we have the opportunity to share with those who see us and make comments about what they see happening in our lives different from their own.

 

Peter’s approach is interesting. He asks them a question. “Why are you so surprised?” He is questioning their faith. If a person says they believe in God but is surprised when God does a miracle, what does that say about their belief. To me, it says they might believe in God, but their God does not have any power to interact with humans. They do not expect God to be a part of their lives.  

 

Explanation

 

Acts 3:11 He was staying very close to Peter and John and that was attracting a crowd of amazed people gathering around them near the portico of Solomon. 12 Peter took this opportunity to speak with the crowd that was gathering. "Why are you so surprised? We did not do anything here. He does not walk because we are more righteous or have some strange magic. 13 "This is the doing of the God of our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has given glory to Jesus, His servant, the same one you took to trial before Pilate and chose to have Him crucified even after Pilate wanted to let Him go free. 14 Now you will see that you turned against the Holy One of God, the Righteous One, and had Pilate release for you a murderer instead. 

15 Consequently, you had the Prince of all life put to death. But God did not leave Him in death but in fact raised Him from the dead. We have seen Him and talked with Him. 16 And this miracle you see here today is because of faith in the name of Jesus, He has made this man walk. This faith comes to us from Jesus and He has restored this man to perfect health in your presence today. 17 I am not here to bring you guilt for delivering Jesus up to Pilate; you and your rulers were ignorant of these things. 18 But know for sure, God has brought about the things He prophesied through the prophets of old, the Messiah would need to suffer. 

 

Peter uses this argument with the people who have witnessed or heard about the miracle. He lumps all Jews together as he talks to them. “You delivered Jesus up to the be crucified. He was God’s gift to us, the Messiah that has been promised for years and you cut His life short.” 

 

In this short speech Peter says something different from the speech at the outpouring of the Spirit. Instead of saying God meant it for good, he takes the story to a new place. “God did not leave Him in death.” That would be a new concept for the people and Peter just moves right on with his explanation. Jesus is alive from the dead, we have seen Him and talked with Him. And the miracle you see today, the healing of this lame man, is because of faith in Jesus, our Messiah. 

 

I like that Peter keeps the message on the positive and not on the game of blaming the people for Jesus’ death. Peter knows in His heart that Jesus leaving this earth and going to heaven was the best thing for what Jesus desires to accomplish. I am sure he would have enjoyed a few more years with Jesus, but now would be the time to move on. So, he reminds the people, “you and your rulers were ignorant of these things. But know for sure, God has brought about the things He prophesied through the prophets of old.” 

 

It is all about Jesus

 

If it were not for Jesus, most everyone in the world would love being a Christian. The teachings of love, the fellowship of being with like-minded others, and the presence of miracles. What is not to like? But once we introduce Jesus into the story people start to disperse. 

 

Jesus was born as the Son of God; people question that. Jesus is alive today, risen from the dead; that one causes some to step back and take notice. Jesus is the only name in heaven and earth by which a person can be saved; now you have gone too far. What about all of the other gods, the other believe systems, how can they all be wrong? 

 

Peter says, “It is all about Jesus.” He is the key figure in the story of history. It is all related to before Jesus and after Jesus. God prophesied these things and God brought them about. But without Jesus, you only have a religion of good works and temporary happiness. 

 

Again, Peter turns to the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

 

Application

 

Acts 3:19 What you must do now is repent, turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus, so that your sins might be forgiven in the eyes of God. This will open up an opportunity for you to experience times of refreshing from the very presence of the LORD. 20 Along with your forgiveness and the times of refreshing, God will send Jesus, the Messiah, into your hearts. 21 Jesus is the fulfillment of the words of the ancient prophets who spoke about the coming period of restoration. 22 Moses said, "The LORD God will bring to the world a new prophet from the midst of your descendants and you shall pay attention to all that He says. 23 "Whoever listens to that prophet and does not pay attention will be removed from among the people. 24 "The prophets have been consistent about this message, from Samuel onward, as they looked forward to these days. 25 "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God has made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'All the families of the earth will find blessing in you.' 26 "God brought His Servant first of all to you, and He has blessed you and turned your hearts away from your wicked ways."

 

 

The only valid response to the message of Jesus is repentance. Those of us who believe have at one point in our lives said, “I am lame, but I want to be made whole and Jesus can do it.”

 

That statement alone is a confession of faith. I believe in Jesus, that He is still around and doing miraculous transformations in the hearts of people. I believe He can forgive my sin and heal my heart and soul. I believe that my spiritual lameness is no longer in my way and I can stand up and walk and go out into the world with the message of Jesus. I have experienced, in some way, the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing in my life, once or twice. I have seen a sign or two, others might not think they are signs, but to me, I am sure that God is alive, rewarding those who seek Him, and he has healed me. I am different because of my confession of faith, “I was lame in some way, and Jesus made me whole.”

 

 

Peter reminds the people of the prophecies of their heritage. Moses said God would bring to Israel a prophet like himself, and anyone who hears that prophet and does not change their ways will be removed from the people of God. Peter lets them know that the message of the prophets has been consistent throughout the history of Israel, and it will be that through the people of Israel the families of the earth will find blessing. Then he lets them know that the Messiah, Jesus, came first to Israel leaving open the option that God will spread this message throughout the world in order to bring the blessings of God to everyone on earth.  

 

Times of refreshing will come from the Lord

 

In verse 20, Peter suggests that along with our forgiveness we will receive times of refreshing. I have so many stories in my life where Jesus has “led me beside still waters,” as David says in Psalm 23. Sailing, surfing, waiting for concrete to dry, sitting by the mountain streams, backpacking, walking through the redwoods in Henry Cowells and Mt Hermon, and on goes my list. What is your list of ways that God has brought you times of refreshing in the midst of your adventurous life? A swimming pool when it is 110 degrees outside, lemonade, a shower, a day in the garden, or sitting quietly beside the ocean. 

 

For one brief moment, all the cares of the world are set aside, and a vision of eternity floods your soul, and you are in awe of Jesus and His love. Learn to seize that moment, stop, and reflect on your faith and Jesus’ love. Wait as long as you can, maybe even until you are both satisfied, until you have sensed His presence with you. 

Isaiah suggests we seek for those moments, “1 When you are thirsty, come to the waters of life. Even if you do not have money, come, buy, and eat. I have for you milk and wine that are yours without cost. 2 There is no reason for you to spend money on things that are not bread, or work so hard for things that bring you no satisfaction. If you listen to my teachings, you will eat good things and find joy in what is best in this life. 3 So, listen, and I will show you life. I will bind myself to you, just as I promised to David.” (Isaiah 55:1-3 EBV)

 

Matthew records Jesus’ words saying, 28 "When you find yourselves weary and troubled, come, find rest with Me. 29 “I will place My yoke upon you and together we will carry the load, and you will see how gentle and humble I am. Here you will be able to let your soul rest from the weary world. 30 The yoke we will share will be easy on your shoulders and your burdens will feel quite light. (Matthew 11:28-30 EBV) 

 

David in his psalms says, “Stop and listen, and you will know My presence. I am God and every nation will honor Me.” (Psalm 46:10 EBV)

 

Allow the Refreshment of God to Pour over You this week. Remember that you were lame, and He healed you. Remember often, your need to come back to His presence and find rest for you souls. Pick up the Scriptures and read, let the words of God flow through you. This week is your week to find a time of refreshing in the midst of Covid, fires, rain, rebuilding, isolation, and crazy news. Come away and find rest for your soul. 

Pastor Edd

P.S. You can listen to the sermon on YouTube as well.